Page 63 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I’m sorry for that, too.”

We grow silent then with rain, thunder, and cars splashing through puddles echoing in the distance. Hardly anyone is walking around now, the sidewalks basically empty. The longer we stand there, the colder the temperature drops, and no matter how tightly I wrap my arm around myself, I can’t warm up.

“You’re freezing,” River notes as he eyes how badly I’m shivering. “You should go inside. You’re wearing enough clothes that she can’t kick you out.”

I shake my head. “I’d rather not go back in there.”

“Maddy,” he starts to say.

“I’m fine,” I assure him. “I’d rather stand out here and freeze for a few more minutes than get gawked at.”

He rakes his teeth along his bottom lip. “I have an idea. Don’t freak out.” He steps toward me.

I stiffen. “What are you doing?”

“I’m just getting closer to you to block some of the cold air,” he informs me as he reduces the space between us.

My breath gets lodged in my throat as he stands so close to me that I can feel the heat coming off his body. How the hell he’s still mildly warm is beyond me.

Slowly, as if approaching a skittish cat, he places a hand against the wall so I’m trapped between his arms. Then he looks down at me. “Is this okay?”

I nod, working to keep my breathing even.

Usually, I’m a badass in these types of situations. But I’m also usually annoyed when a guy is crowding my personal space. I’ve only kissed a few guys, and those were lame as hell, mainly because every time it happened, both me and the guy were drunk, and the kisses were sloppy at best.

He sucks in a gradual inhale through his nose, as if he’s struggling to breathe evenly, too.

We remain that way for a few minutes, and slowly, the coldness creeps away from my body.

“Feeling any better?” River asks softly.

I nod again while biting my bottom lip.

His gaze drops to my mouth.

My heart leaps in my chest.

Shut the hell up, heart.

River starts to lean in, and then our lips touch.

He groans, his hand cuping my cheek as his tongue parts my mouth?—

Honk. Honk. Honk.

We both startle. River pushes away from the wall and spins around toward the curb where a sleek red sports car with custom tires and a spoiler is parked. The passenger window rolls down, and sitting in the driver’s seat is a grinning Finn.

“Did I just ruin a moment between the gothic princess and prince?” he teases with his arm resting on the steering wheel.

My heart is beating frantically in my chest. I just kissed River. Oh my god.

“Shut up,” River hisses as he marches over to the car, his sneakers splashing in the puddles.

I inhale and exhale to steady my heart before pushing away from the wall and approaching the car.

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